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Saturday, September 23, 2006

no matter what is your religion, you are invited to fast in the name of God, the Most Merciful

Dear Visitors,

From this Saturday night, the whole of Muslims Community across the globe will be fasting as prescribed in the Final Testament.

As fasting has spiritual dimensions, so it also has physical and scientific dimension. Fasting prescribed in different traditions of faith varies little in degree and type. in Islamic tradition, one take the last meal before the sunrise with the intention & prayer that the fasting is done only for the sake of God and asking God's acceptence. Then till the sunset one is suppose to abstain completely from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse.

But this by itself is not sufficient. One also has to abstain from all kinds of sins, like foul language, backbiting, drinking, lying, prohibited listening, and dealing in unlawful items like drugs, wine and pork - all kinds of behaviour or practice that is against the Will of God.

At sunset, the fast is broken by taking light food. fruits and water is recommened. over eating is very much discouraged after breaking the fast because that is not scientific and that also absue the spirit of fasting from spritiual point of view.

Fasting is practiced and recommended by Jesus Christ as well. and it was an integral part of earlier christian community to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and fast on a very regular, disciplined manner. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33).

So i welcome you again, if you are not Muslims, even then to fast on this blessed lunar month which is coming up by the current new moon. fast for one days or two days or even the whole lunar month if you can. taste the sweetness of fasting as it nourishes your soul.

Jesus Christ, the blessed spirit from God encouraged to celebrate fasting in the name of God. He forbade show up in fasting, but rather he taught that fasting be done in a spirit of joy.

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your God, who is unseen; and your God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).

Fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh - it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked.

So beloved visitors, lets fast in the same spirit together. If you are not Muslim, yet decide to fast, pls do let us know (not for your ego, but to encourage others). God willing, it will be a great encouragement for all.

The Final Revelation, the Quran calls all belivers of God to fast in this special month when Quran was revealed as a guide to the whole of mankind. In Quran we read in the name of the Most Merciful:

"O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil).

Fast for a certain number of days; but whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; and those who are not able to do it may effect a redemption by feeding a poor man; so whoever does good spontaneously it is better for him; and that you fast is better for you if you know.

The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, as a guide to mankind and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days;

God desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of God for His having guided you and that you may give thanks." (The Quran 002.183-185)